Police release images of England fans suspected of Marseille disorder

Investigators probing the ‘orchestrated’ violence in Marseille have released pictures of England football fans suspected of being involved in the disorder.

Officers from the UK Football Policing Unit (UKFPU) are hoping to identify the men following the clashes ahead of England’s Euro 2016 game against Russia on Saturday June 11.

Police also appealed for people to hand over any photos or video of the fighting, which left 14 England football fans in hospital.

A group of 150 “hyper rapid, hyper violent” Russian hooligans attacked Three Lions supporters in the French port city, throwing chairs and beer bottles in violent scenes the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) said were “on a scale we haven’t seen for many years.”

Det Supt Andy Barnes, who is leading the UKFPU investigation, said: “Please come forward if you have any information, photos or video of what happened in Marseille.

“They were seen to be taking video footage and this could be crucial evidence. If you recognise yourself or someone you know in this footage, then please get in touch.”

Meanwhile, six England fans appeared in a French court just days later and were given sentences of between one and three months for their part in the fighting.

The NPCC warned any England supporters found to have been involved in the disorder could face football banning orders in the UK.

Assistant Chief Constable Mark Roberts, National Police Chiefs’ Council lead for football policing, said: “The violence in Marseilles was highly organised and those involved appeared determined to carry out sustained attacks at a level of aggression I have not encountered in the past 10 years.

“We are very aware that this involved a small minority of English supporters. Investigations will continue and these fans could be subject to a football banning order on their return to the UK.

“Our investigation team is on hand to assist the French police in any way that we can to ensure those involved are identified and prevented from engaging in further disorder.”

The appeal came after a “miracle” night in Lille for Ireland that saw the Republic join England, Wales and Northern Ireland in the Euro 2016 knockout stages.

Martin O’Neill’s squad will now hope to keep fans’ dreams alive when they meet hosts France in Lyon on Sunday.